Explosion at kabul Airport

[Meltinthemiddle]

Just absolutely devastated for all those people. I could cry for them. Not sure of the extent of damage.

Third bomb has just gone off apparently

@KonTikki

Reports that 4 US marines killed in the blast. This will be viewed in America as complete exhoneration for Biden's plan to be out by the end of the month. With some justification now I feel.

Reuters foreign policy correspondent Idrees Ali has been informed by a US Pentagon official that at least 10 US troops were killed in the blasts outside Kabul aiport.

He says this a number “expected to rise”.

There is widespread support from the American public for withdrawel, but with there will not be any exhoneration for the way Biden has handled this.

SKY reporting 12 dead US personnel

Pentagon briefing due in about 30min

This is just the start. Horrendous.

I agree there will be no exoneration

And there will be a lot of pressure to go in and bomb the hell out of something

60 dead now
10 military personnel
140 injured

just so so awful

This is utterly horrific.

I know this is probably a stupid question but I’ve read that a few countries are now stopping evacuations due to the airport doors being closed and the situation being untenable. What will happen to those people who are citizens of other countries? Surely it isn’t as simple as they live out the rest of the days in Afghanistan?

I really hope I’m not coming across as insensitive. My thoughts are with all people trying to get out but I was curious about what happens in that specific situation.

so worrying for all those who remain in afghanistan who dont want to be there, and also have british or other passports.
pen farthing being one

pentagon about to be live

they were told to make their way to borders...not ideal but the airport has become too dangerous

Beeb are reporting 12US servicemen dead.
Can Biden not retaliate?

the us say they wont be deterred from their mission

it's horrendous and sadly was quite predictable.
potus has blood on his hands.

From John Simpson on Titter.
Apologies if posted already.

What will happen to those people who are citizens of other countries? Surely it isn’t as simple as they live out the rest of the days in Afghanistan?

They will probably be stuck in the short term, but once commercial flights resume they should be able to leave that way, or they could seek to depart over one of the land borders. It could take months for the situation to be stable and predictable enough to plan a safe journey., though.

I think is quite likely that foreigners will be permitted to leave (unless they want de facto hostages) but dual nationals and Afghans may face difficulties meaning they are stuck there long-term

@NameChanged15729 It's not a stupid question at all, there are thousands of foreign citizens trapped in Afghanistan. And many dual-national Afghans who were not allowed to leave.

No one knows yet what will happen to them. It will depend on the Taliban.

A lot of people will be trying to get out across the various borders, that will be difficult but with enough money a lot of people will manage.

A president with 40 years in US Politics should have known.

You're assuming he could remember what he once learned.

Can Biden not retaliate?

That’s easier said than done. This was ISIS, not Taliban and not the Afghan population. Terrorism is effective because it’s so difficult to take out the perpetrators without taking out innocents at the same time.

how can Biden retaliate? they have lost troops today......to retaliate would mean more troops dying...and also mean further revenge terrorism

Don't get me wrong, My thinking is any retaliation, no matter how 'targeted ' will be a blood bath.
I'm wondering will he have the option not to react?

The safest way to retaliate would be airstrikes, but there aren't really any good ISKP positions to strike -- perhaps some rural villages but then civilian casualties are likely

More likely is the US keeps sharing intel with the Taliban and lets them take care of it

the taliban are apparently making it very hard to those to try and cross the borders

We can’t stay there for ever, and the Afghans want the Taliban in power, regardless of what we think.

Free and fair elections would bear this out? Only way to tell is to hold some. Regularly.

And since the Taliban don't allow female doctors, and won't allow women to see a male doctor, let's hope women live long enough to vote.

Dreadful situation - this thread has been so informative though.

Isis K are global extremists

Thank you for the informative posts.
Terrible situation.